Don’t forget Montreal, Mr. Legault

The demonstration is even more striking than in 2018: François Legault has no need of Montreal to win his elections.

Of the 90 Caquiste deputies elected on Monday, barely 2 were elected on the island. Outside the greater Montreal area, it is the complete inversion of colors. Only six ridings escaped the pale blue wave.

The gap between the metropolis and the rest of Quebec seems wider than ever.

But even if Montreal voters have turned their backs on him, François Legault cannot keep the metropolis in its blind spot for the next four years.

If his promise to be the “prime minister of all Quebecers” means anything, he and his government have a duty to give Montreal the attention it deserves.

A strong signal would be to appoint the only two elected CAQ Montrealers, Chantal Rouleau and Karine Boivin Roy, to the Council of Ministers. Two ministers for a population of two million inhabitants is far from being too much.

Especially since the challenges affecting Montreal are numerous.

The Eastern REM, withdrawn from the hands of the Caisse de dépôt, must absolutely remain on track. Quebec and Montreal have jointly taken over the reins of the project and a new route is expected by the end of the year. Eastern Montreal has waited too long for this issue to get bogged down again.

The preparatory work concerning the extension of the blue line of the metro has (finally!) begun, but it would be wrong to be satisfied with fulfilling this promise which dates back 30 years. The growth of the metro must continue, particularly at a time of energy transition.

The housing crisis is not strictly a Montreal issue, but it is in the metropolis that the needs are greatest. However, the CAQ has not yet taken the measure of this question. The construction of social and affordable housing has been insufficient during the last mandate. And far from being in catch-up mode, Mr. Legault promised lesser sums in the election campaign. Its new Quebec Affordable Housing Program also puts Montreal at a disadvantage compared to the old one. In short, there is a trajectory to rectify.

Another issue that is likely to attract attention during the next mandate: armed violence. In the metropolis, we now see young people arming themselves… for fear of arms. Such a vicious circle must be broken before it gets out of hand. Quebec has responded by releasing 250 million to support Montreal police officers, but it will be necessary to monitor the situation closely and react if necessary.

We also know that cities are asking for colossal sums to adapt their infrastructures to the new climate reality. After having cavalierly closed the door to them, Mr. Legault changed his mind and opened it ajar. Hopefully he will keep this opening.

Immigration, even if we want to regionalize it, also remains a very Montreal issue. The election campaign left its share of broken pots and bitter people in its wake. The CAQ will have to both change its rhetoric and take concrete action for francization and integration, by listening to people in the community.

The day after the elections, the mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante, made a point of saying that despite the small deputation from Montreal, the government had several “allies” of the metropolis. She notably appointed ministers Christian Dubé, Éric Girard and Pierre Fitzgibbon. To this list have just been added Christine Fréchette, former CEO of the East Montreal Chamber of Commerce elected on the South Shore, as well as Sonia Bélanger, former president of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’ Île-de-Montréal, elected in Prévost (Laurentides).

M^me Plante also recalled that three of the four opposition leaders were elected in Montreal (Dominique Anglade, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois). And that several other mayors in Quebec have requests similar to his and are seen as partners. So much the better. There will not be too many voices in Quebec to defend the cities.

Montrealers massively shunned the CAQ on Monday, but François Legault must respect this democratic choice. He cannot sulk Montreal in return.